I came up with this topic just before deadline
This week’s Video Vulture column is about procrastination. It was going to be about the influence of silent film stars Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd on the career of Jackie Chan but I put off doing the research and ran out of time. We’ll return to that topic whenever I get around to it.
When you think about it many of the advances in home entertainment came about due to the public’s need to put off watching movies until later. Viewers who missed out on a film were given the ability to catch up with it on television. With home video they could put movies on a shelf still in shrink wrap and leave it untouched forever with the smug satisfaction that someday maybe it would be an ideal evening’s entertainment. (Have patience Reptilicus ! I’ll get to you one of these days!)
DVRs are great tools for procrastination and so are all other gadgets downloads streaming services and recording mediums that allow you to finally catch up on Lost . These products exist because there is a demand for them. So why is it so important to us to delay watching movies and television when these pursuits are intended purely for our own pleasure?
Hmm. Tough question. I’m going to go think about that while I play some video games.
OK I’m back. What were we talking about? Oh right procrastination. You see people now have so many different ways to pass the time that we can afford to be extremely choosy. Whatever you’re currently watching has to compete with the rest of your disc collection your Netflix service pay-per-view YouTube and Angry Birds . You’re going to get distracted.
For me it’s often tough to stay focused on a DVD that I’ve borrowed from a friend. Especially if it’s a film I didn’t ask for — then it becomes like homework. The disc will sit there staring at me while I turn my living room upside down looking for other viewing options and feeling guilty. Just knowing that somewhere out there is a thoughtful generous person waiting to hear back about that awesome disc they loaned me is enough to keep me from checking it out for weeks. I mean what if I don’t have a strong opinion on Challenge of the Gobots Charles? What if P.S. I Love You doesn’t have the same emotional effect on me that it has on you Naomi? Geez there’s so much pressure! Screw this I’m going to surf TVTropes.org for three hours while listening to the end credit theme song from Mahoromatic on a loop!
After that I’m filled with anxiety that I’ll bump into the friend who loaned me that Mad Men box set and I’ll be forced to admit that I’m not done with it yet. No you can’t have it back just yet I’m sure I’ll finish it tonight. Probably. Then they’ll look at me aghast and vow never to lend me anything ever again. (Actually they’re more likely to say something like “Oh right I forgot you had that. No worries. Take as much time as you like.” That just makes it worse!)
Despite all my moaning the fact that DVDs Blu-rays and yes videocassettes are physical objects that can be lent and borrowed is something that I value. Many different people can view these items many times on many separate devices and I feel that this gives discs and tapes a sense of identity and community. The fact that the box sits there on your footstool demanding your attention is an acceptable price to…. Yes all right Reptilicus I promise that I’ll watch you soon OK? Geez!
